American authenticity in food and atmosphere priorities for Sharky Bar

Sharky master chef Al Schaaf takes pride in the authenticity of the American and Mexican cuisine.

FOR an American bar experience about as authentic as you can get, a popular choice is Sharky Bar and Restaurant, located at 126, Street 130 in Phnom Penh.

Once you climb the stairs to the interior, you’re greeted by an unusually large room centred on a rectangular bar in the middle and flanked by a bandstand, a kitchen and places to sit.

One of the owners, Al Schaaf, 38, of Dayton, Ohio, is a trained American chef and is proud of the food Sharky has to offer.

Schaaf, who studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University, is the primary architect of the Sharky menu.

“My mother has a grill and tavern in Dayton, Ohio,” Schaaf says.

He’s particularly proud of the authenticity of the Mexican food, including the Pacifica Burrito, which is filled with grilled chicken, refried beans, cheese, salsa and sour cream and topped with spicy ranchero sauce and additional cheese.

Other items include a blue-cheese bacon burger for $6.95, a barbecue rib dinner for $8.50, a Greek chicken salad for $6.25 and a grilled cheese steak sandwich with onions and mushrooms for $6.50.